Birmingham Bucket List: 55 fun things to do this summer

Summer is the time when Birmingham really comes alive, with festivals, events, and outdoor activities (despite the heat). We thought about what a Birmingham summer meant to us, and compiled our list of 55 must-do activities for the season. See how many you can check off and tag your photos with the hashtag #bhambucketlist. We'll regram our favorites!

Why 55?

Birmingham magazine's anniversary is coming up, so we thought it was appropriate to honor 55 years of consecutive publishing with 55 of our favorite activities.

No summer would be complete without attending a game at Regions Field. But the best secret at the stadium (if you’re over 21) is the Good People beer float. You can order vanilla ice cream topped with GP’s Coffee Oatmeal Stout from the soft serve stand. The ice cream cuts the bitterness of the beer and once it all melts into it, it’s like you’re drinking an iced coffee.

If you’re a beer fan, this is the best festival to attend this summer. In its 10th year, this festival presented by Free the Hops includes more than 200 beers, including rare, specialty, and cask ales. Tickets in advance are $38 per session, with sessions on Friday, June 3 from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. and Saturday, June 4 from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

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Float the Cahaba

Floating in an inner tube down the Cahaba River is probably the most Alabama experience you can have. There are a couple of places you can put in, but our favorite is Bulldog Bend, south of Montevallo. It’s just a shack with tubes you can rent for a few bucks. A guy will drive you up the river in a pickup truck and you’ll float back down to where you parked. There are some small rapids to keep it exciting and a swimming hole at the end with a diving platform on the side of a cliff face.

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(Tamika Moore photo)

See a movie

But don’t just go to a regular theater—summer in the city affords residents the option to see movies in fun settings. The Alabama Theatre’s Summer Film series begins June 10 and goes until August 14, with classic movies such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Gone with the Wind, Grease, and more, every Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens hosts Flicks Among the Flowers once a month (May 18, June 15, July 20), a free movie outside on the grounds. Movies at Avondale Park is showing four movies in June at Avondale Park (June 7, 14, 21, 28) and two in July at Crestwood Park (July 12 and 19). Or take it way back in time with a trip to Argo Drive-In Theater near Trussville or Coyote Drive-In in Leeds.

Summer is music festival season and Birmingham now has its own major music festival drawing crowds from around the country. In its second year, Sloss Fest is more than just a music festival—you’ll also find art, metal pouring demos, craft cocktails and beer, and great food. The festival is July 16-17 this year and includes more than 30 acts such as Ryan Adams, Death Cab for Cutie, Grouplove, Betty Who, and Anderson East.

This beloved Saturday market is only open from 7 a.m.-12 p.m., and if you want to get the good produce (and beat the lines), you’ve got to get there early. The market has become so popular in the past couple years that many vendors are selling out quickly. Grab a Mason jar full of Piper & Leaf tea and wander through the tents sampling goodies from Emily’s Heirloom Poundcakes and Dayspring Dairy, checking out handicrafts from jewelers and woodworkers, and, of course, buying produce and fresh flowers from the farmers.

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Cool down with a sweet treat

Alabama is HOT in the summer. Luckily, we have an abundance of places to get some cooling refreshments. If you’re in the mood for ice cream, seek out Big Spoon Creamery or Edgewood Creamery. For ice pops, you’ve got options like Steel City Pops or La Sabrosita for traditional paletas. And for Italian ice, give Magic City Sweet Ice a try or visit Doodle’s, a longtime favorite.

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(Joe Songer photo)

Get your adventure on at Red Mountain Park

Red Mountain Park has some beautiful hikes (with treehouses!) but if you’re looking for a higher thrill, they’ve got you covered. With zip line tours ($50), a treetop ropes course ($40), a mega zip line ($20), and an adventure tower with rock climbing and rappelling ($30), you can try out a different one each weekend—or do them all in one day with the combo ticket ($100). If you prefer to stay on the ground, Segway tours of the park ($25-40) are also offered.

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(Joe Songer photo)

Jump around

Airwalk Trampoline Arena on 280 is an “extreme” trampoline experience with 16,000 square feet of trampolines, a Ninja obstacle course, basketball goals, foam pits, and trapezes. The arena offers Kid Jumps (ages 6 and under), Open Jumps (all ages), and ClubAirWalk (15 and older) where you’ll jump under black lights and bumping music. It’s fun—and way more of a workout than you’d expect.

Slice Fest, on June 11, is the biggest block party of the summer. The event celebrates Slice Pizza and Brew’s anniversary, and the event is in its fifth year. There will be live music, craft beer, and, of course, special food creations from Slice chef Terrill Brazelton.

Secret Stages, August 5-6 this year, is one of the most unique festivals you can attend in the city. In this music discovery festival, around 60 up-and-coming bands play at hidden venues on and around Second Avenue North. Single venue, day, weekend, and VIP passes are available.

Summer is the time for festivals, and Sidewalk is one you shouldn’t miss, especially if you’re a film buff. The festival, August 26-28, showcases the best in new and independent films, with a special emphasis on Alabama filmmakers.

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Picnic in Railroad Park

Grab a picnic basket, a comfortable blanket, and some easy picnic foods—like sandwiches from Mr. P’s Deli, chicken salad from Crestline Bagel, or crackers and goat cheese from The Pantry—and have a picnic in Birmingham’s backyard.

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(Courtesy Redmont Distilling)

Distillery tasting

Birmingham got its first (legal) distilleries this spring, so get your hands on a bottle or cocktail featuring the liquors. Redmont Vodka, the first legal distillery here since prohibition, is gluten-free and uses limestone-filtered Alabama water. It’s currently served at Lou’s Pub, Jackson’s Bar and Bistro, FoodBar, and other local restaurants; some ABC stores are selling bottles. It’s also the official vodka of Sloss Fest! Another distillery to seek out is Avondale Spirits, run by Avondale Brewing Company out of Wooden Goat restaurant. It produces vodka and gin that’s used for Wooden Goat’s craft cocktails.

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(Courtesy Birmingham Hammers)

Attend a Hammers game

The Birmingham Hammers is Birmingham’s semi-professional soccer team, and this year is its inaugural season in the National Premier Soccer League. The team plays at Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex in Vestavia Hills. The season started April 30 and goes until July 2, with remaining home games May 28, June 10, 12, 22, and 25.

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Drink a Bushwacker

A Bushwacker—the frosty, milkshake-like cocktail—is a favorite Gulf Coast refreshment. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have one in Birmingham. Both Lou’s Pub and Moe’s Original BBQ serve them up.

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Zyp Bike Jones Valley Trail

Take advantage of our bike share program. Pick up a Zyp Bike and hop on the Jones Valley Trail—you can ride it from downtown to Sloss Furnaces.

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Paddleboard at Oak Mountain

Standup Paddleboarding has been all the rage the past couple of years, and if you’re interested in trying it out, Oak Mountain offers paddleboard rentals on the lake in the park. For $22 an hour, you’ll get a board, a paddle, and free reign of the lake area.

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(Joe Songer photo)

July 4th Fireworks at Vulcan

Everyone knows the best Fourth of July fireworks show is at Vulcan. Find a place to park and watch. There’s hardly a bad view in town—anywhere you can see Vulcan, you can see the fireworks.

There’s no better way to spend a beautiful Saturday or Sunday Funday than at Avondale. With beers to cool you down and fun events hosted in the back patio area, Avondale is the liveliest place when the weather gets warm.

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(Madison Underwood photo)

Have a drink outside at Garage

And speaking of outdoor bars…Garage, the cash-only dive bar near Highland Park, has the funkiest outdoor space. The patio, draped in wisteria, features tons of antiques and random artifacts scattered around—and they’re all for sale if you can make the owner a good enough deal.

Magic City Smooth Jazz hosts free Jazz in the Park concerts from April through December at different parks around town, from Homewood to downtown to Irondale. Find the full schedule and locations at magiccitysmoothjazz.com.

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra closes out their season at the end of the spring, but you’ve got an opportunity to see them at Symphony in the Summer, where the orchestra plays in Railroad Park over three nights: June 10-12. Dynamic Music Director Carlos Izcaray is amazing to watch in action.

As children, any summer party with a Slip 'N Slide was a good party. You can relive your childhood days (and bring your children) at Slide the City on June 25, a 1,000-foot Slip 'N Slide set up in Vestavia Hills. Tickets available at slidethecity.com.

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(Madison Underwood photo)

Go berry pickin'

Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries—summer is the height of berry season and there are plenty of farms within driving distance of Birmingham where you can pick your own. Get strawberries in June from Kenneth Witt Farm in Hayden, and blueberries later in the summer from Bear Mountain Blueberry Farm in Springville or Lyon Blueberry Farm in Wilsonville.

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(Tamika Moore photo)

Play around at Saturn

Once a month, Saturn hosts Vintage Video Game Night, featuring more than 30 classic game consoles from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, hundreds of games, and a large projection screen.

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(Courtesy photo)

See a play

Birmingham has a great theater scene. Whether it’s a traveling Broadway play coming through the BJCC or a local production at the Virginia Samford Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre Company Cabaret Theatre, or Birmingham Festival Theatre, there are plenty of opportunities for a night at the theater.

Trim Tab Brewery has some of the most fun, most random events. Make it a point to attend at least one this summer. Past summers have included pool parties, crawfish boils, DJ dance parties, and live bands. The brewery also has Paints and Pints night twice a month, hosted by local artist Natalie Russo.

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(Joe Songer photo)

Take the kids to Alabama Splash Adventure

To beat the crowds, head to this combination waterpark/amusement park during the week. Did you know the park provides free sunscreen?

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Have a campfire and make s'mores

Grab some graham crackers, marshmallows, and Hershey’s chocolate for the perfect summer night in—for both kids and adults. If you can’t have your own bonfire, head to S’mores & Pours at Avondale on June 16 for beer samples and s’mores food pairings. The event benefits Camp Fire Alabama.

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(Tamika Moore photo)

Go to a concert

The music scene in the city is booming, with a vibrant local music scene and bands from all over the world touring here. Catch a concert at the Lyric, Saturn, Alabama Theatre, Workplay, or Iron City (to name a few).

This is the greatest week of the year for foodies. From August 12-21, restaurants will offer special prix-fixe menus priced at $5, $10, $15 for lunch and $15, $20, $30 for dinner. Book reservations early because places fill up fast.

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Have a cookout

Fire up the grill for a summer dinner al fresco. Purchase meats from local butchers (Bottle & Bone or The Cajun Cleaver) or seafood from local markets like Snapper Grabbers and Sextons and invite friends over for dinner.

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Attend a pop-up

The best way to find out about pop-ups—whether it’s a pop-up dinner or pop-up shop—is on Facebook. Follow restaurants, shops, and organizations and they’ll normally post any special events they’re doing. Keep an eye out for pop-up dinners from Alloy Thai and Shu Shop (ramen). Pop-up shops are hosted at places like West Elm, coffee shops, or boutiques.

We can’t have drive-through daiquiri shops like New Orleans, but Birmingham does have a New Orleans-style daiquiri bar on 9th Street N. Birmingham Daiquiris offers nearly 20 flavors of daiquiris (both alcoholic and virgin), including Roll Tide and War Eagle options.

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(Madison Underwood photo)

Beer and wine tastings at Hop City

Who can pass up free booze? Hop City offers free beer and wine tastings multiple times weekly, normally from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Check their Facebook for the events to see what they'll be sampling—they update it regularly.

Woodlawn is the next up-and-coming neighborhood in Birmingham. In the past year or so, new restaurants and shops have opened to spur the revitalization. Plan your visit around the Woodlawn Street market (June 4) and make sure to check out Woodlawn Cycle Café and Open Shop while you’re there.

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(Tamika Moore photo)

Thursdays at Arlington Antebellum home & Gardens

Every Thursday in June, July, and August, Arlington Historic Home prepares a Southern gourmet lunch, open to the public. Seatings are at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the meal costs $18. A tour of the home, built in the 1840s, is included, and make sure to stroll the gardens afterward.

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Test your skills at an escape game

If being locked in a room until you’ve solved the clues to escape sounds like your idea of a good time, try out Locked In or Breakout Birmingham—two places offering the popular escape game activity. It’s inside so it’s one way to escape (pun intended) the summer heat.

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(Tamika Moore photo)

Take the Birmingham Ghost Walk

Edward Wolfgang Poe leads nightly two-hour walking tours sharing the stories of murderers, suicides, prostitutes, serial killers, public executions, and how some of Birmingham’s best-known names were not content to just live on through their names on buildings. The tours begin at 8 p.m. and cost $20 per person.

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(Secret Playground Photography)

Try an Ono Ice cocktail

Ono Ice serves up handmade, naturally-flavored ice the traditional Hawaiian way. But what she’s doing uniquely is making those ices into cocktail ices. Throughout the summer, catch her at Bamboo on 2nd serving up creative, shaved-ice cocktail creations.

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(Wes Frazer photo)

Scope out a food truck

An easy meal is one that’s on wheels. The Birmingham food truck scene just keeps growing, so check out some of the newer trucks in town: Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Cheezin’ (grilled cheese), Bendy’s Cookies and Cream, Tot Spot (tater tots), and Hot Tag.

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(Susan Strickland photo)

Art on the Rocks

This summer party series, hosted by the Birmingham Museum of Art, is in its 11th year. Each event features different bands, interactive art exhibits, local food, and a funky photo booth. The dates for this year are June 17, July 22, and August 19.

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Get a hotdog and watch the sunset at Tip Top Grill

This Bluff Park staple is perfect for watching the sunset while enjoying a no-frills dinner.

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(Joe Songer photo)

Go shooting

Shooting clays is a fun weekend activity. Selwood Farm, in Alpine, Ala., offers a sporting clay shooting course, where you can play through different stations with varying levels of difficulty and obstacles. Selwood was the first place in Alabama to offer a course like this.

You don’t have to suffer a break up to enjoy what some consider the best chocolate chip cookies in Birmingham. Made from a secret recipe at Church Street Coffee and Books, the warm, soft, melty chocolate chip cookies topped with sea salt have a cult-like following.

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(Joe Songer photo)

Visit the Negro Southern League Museum

This new museum, near Regions Field, shares the history of baseball’s segregated past. Admission to the museum is free, and you can see old uniforms, player contracts, signed baseballs, and other memorabilia.

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(Joe Songer photo)

Volunteer somewhere

Be productive in your summer downtime by getting involved in a non-profit. Use Hands On Birmingham (handsonbirmingham.com) as a resource to find a charity you’re interested in or available opportunities.

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(Joe Songer photo)

Play around at McWane

McWane Science Center is a fun, educational activity for the kids, but as adults, we can’t say we don’t enjoy it, too. Kids will love finding their super power at the Hall of Heroes summer exhibit.

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Try out a new fitness class

Don’t be a couch potato. A lot of places in town will let you try out a fitness class with no commitment to join, so you can find one you like. Try Pilates, yoga, aerial yoga, kickboxing, Orange Theory, Iron Tribe, Zumba, water aerobics, Jazzercise—whatever gets you moving!

Next time you go to Jack Brown’s Burger and Beer Joint, ask to start a beer list for the 100 Notch Club. You record each beer you drink and your rating, and once you reach 100, you get a custom-embroidered shirt and other Notcher perks. They always have a great selection of local, domestic, and foreign craft beers. Plus, they have great burgers to enjoy with those 100 beers!

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Sing Happy Birthday to Vulcan

Vulcan turns 112 this year! The park is holding a birthday party for him on June 5, from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. They’ll be food, music, activities, and more.

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(Joe Songer photo)

Go fishing

There are some smaller bodies of water to bass fish in close proximity to Birmingham. Check out Inland Lake, Lake Purdy, and the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River. If you drive to the Sipsey Fork, you can get a guide and go fly fishing for rainbow trout. You are sure to catch some and, while it probably won’t be the size of the fish you will be bragging about, the landscape, refreshingly cool water, and rare Alabama opportunity will be memorable.

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Chill out at Pelham Ice Rink

If you really want something cool to do, go ice skating at the Pelham Civic Center. It offers daily public skating; admission is $7 and skate rental is $2.